HOW THE DOLLARS ROLL IN
_The Klan Claims to Have 500,000 to 700,000 Members. Plan to get
College Boys._
The Ku Klux Klan claims to have 500,000 to 700,000 members. As a
matter of fact it is generally believed that that number is a hot air
figure. It offers a basis for some interesting figures on the money
that has changed hands, however.
Every person initiated must pay $10 as an initiation fee. Kleagles who
have left the order say that the "initiation" fee is called a
"donation" so that the Klan can escape paying income tax to the
government, because dues in clubs and societies are taxable.
Of the $10, the kleagle who enrolls the member gets $4. The king
kleagle, or state salesmanager, gets $1. The cyclops, or division
manager, gets 50 cents. Clarke, the Imperial Kleagle, gets $3 and the
office of Imperial Wizard Simmons gets $1.50. On this basis of 700,000
members, Clarke has collected more than $2,000,000. So far as known no
public accounting ever has been made.
In addition the person initiated pays $6.50 for a mask, or helmet, and
a robe. This he must purchase from the Gate City Manufacturing Company
of Atlanta, owned by Clarke. Clarke's fortune grows every time a new
member is taken in. If the Klansman rides a horse in ceremonies he
must buy a robe for $14--also from Clarke's company.
WATER AT $10 A QUART
Another source of revenue to Clarke is the water used in initiations.
It comes from the Chattahoochee river (Indian for "muddy water") near
Atlanta. It is sent around the country as special Ku Klux Klan liquid
without which an initiation cannot be held. It costs $10 a quart,
money to be paid to Clarke.
Simmons and Clarke live in costly houses on Peachtree road, outside of
Atlanta. It is explained that their homes were presented to them by
the Klan. It also is explained that some of the money of the Klan goes
to Lanier university, near Atlanta, where young students are to be
trained to spread the Ku Klux Klan to every village of the country.
AFTER THE COLLEGE BOYS
In addition to the general membership, Simmons started a plan to get
college boys into the Ku Klux Klan at $1 a head and with a charge of
$5 for masks and regalia. The watchword for the college boys was to be
"Kuno." Simmons, according to kleagles who deserted him, explained
that he got the college idea from the German militarism system, which
started to train boys for the army when they were in school. Simmons
wrote this inspiration to attract college boys:
"Klannishners is your creed and faith; therefore, let no angel, man or
devil break you from its glorious anchorage. Then when the end of your
initiation shall have been reached in this life and you have been
summoned to take your place as an inhabitant of the Invisible Empire,
as you pass through the veil you can say to the world in tones of
truth triumphant: "I have kept the Faith!" Thus preserving your honor
by a faithful allegiance your life shall not have been lived in vain."
THE BOOK OF "KLORAN"
The ceremony of initiation is contained in a copyrighted book called
the Kloran written by Imperial Wizard Simmons. The Bible is opened at
the 12th Chapter of Romans.
These songs are sung:
We meet in cordial greetings
In this our sacred cave
To pledge anew our compact
With hearts sincere and brave;
A band of faithful Klansmen
Knights of the K.K.K.
We all will stand together
Forever and for aye.
Chorus:
Home, home, country and home;
Klansmen, we'll live and die
For our country and home.
Her honor, love and justice
Must actuate us all,
Before our sturdy phalanx
All hate and strife shall fall.
In union we'll labor
Wherever we may roam,
To shield a Klansman's welfare,
His country, name and home.
KLEXOLOGY
(Tune--America)
"God of Eternity,
Guide, guard our great country,
Our homes and store.
Keep our great state to Thee;
Its people right and free
In us Thy glory be
Forevermore."